New Albany (IN) Daily Ledger, July 25, 1911, p. 4.
TRAGIC DEATH
Edward Comfort Drowns before the Eyes of His Father
While Swimming in Lake Maxinkucky
A most tragic accident took place at Lake Maxinkucky on Saturday evening.
Rev. J. W. Comfort, who was for a number of years a resident of this city
and now rector of St. Paul's Church at Columbus, Indiana, went out in the
lake with his son, Edward, in a boat to take a swim. Both of them were in
the water when a rather strong wind arose and drifted the boat away from
them.
The son attempted to reach it but was unable to do so and, whether seized by
a cramp or simply exhausted by his efforts, sank before his father, who
attempted to reach and assist him, but was unable to do so in time. The
young man was drowned.
How Rev. Comfort was saved was not stated in the message that reached this
city last night and by which Mrs. George A. Spaudling, Thirteenth and Main
streets, and Miss Sue Green, Eleventh and Main, were notified.
Rev. Comfort was well known in this city and for a time was chaplain of the
Indiana Reformatory and later state agent. He and his family were very much
loved by those who knew them, and they have the sincere sympathy of the
people of this city in the terrible tragedy that has overtaken them.
It was while here that Rev. Comfort was ordained in the Episcopalian Church
and his first parish was in a Pennsylvania city whence he was called to
Columbus, Indiana, his current residence.
His unfortunate son was 31 years old and a very loveable man.